Route 15 Underpass Undergoes Makeover

By Mary Margaret Coughlin, ‘08

Mount St. Mary’s Route 15 underpass will no longer be plain and dark, thanks to art students who are creating a mural in the underpass.  Elizabeth Holtry, associate professor in the Mount’s visual and performing arts department came up with the idea to brighten up the space about three years ago.  This semester, Holtry offered a mural painting class devoted specifically to the project.

To prepare, students in the class interviewed fellow students, faculty, and staff to get the Mount community’s opinions and suggestions of what they would like to see in the mural.  After gathering input, the class decided on five themes they found best represented the university: academics, the arts, faith, community service and athletics. 

The class then split up into five groups, with each group taking on a different theme.  Senior Jamie Penrose says, “From day one, every person in the class contributed so much to every aspect of this project.” Claire Hatfield, a freshman, adds, “Our ideas have really come together which is the hardest part…trying to make everything cohesive.  Painting is the easy part.” 

After each group finished their initial designs, the class showed the concepts to President Powell and Vice President Rehm for approval.

Painting began in February with students hoping to complete the mural by the end of the semester. 

To sum up the class’ feelings, senior Marissa Hoffman explains, “With such a diverse group--art majors and non majors alike--working side by side, the final piece should prove to be a representative masterpiece of Mount cooperation and collaboration.  General excitement emanates from the project with the sense that we are contributing to the aesthetics of the Mount campus and its history.” 

Look for the mural to be finished later this spring.